The Great Outdoors February 2020

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2020 SNOWARAMA FOR EASTER SEALS KIDS CROSSES BORDERS TO BENEFIT KIDS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES!

GET HOOKED! LET’S GO FISHING! Snowmobiling: Out On The Trails! LIFT LIGHT TO SHOVEL RIGHT

Law Enforcement Torch Run Donates $44,250 to Special Olympics Canada Winter Games

7th Sled For Eternity Ride Great Success!


Snowmobiling: Out On The Trails!

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www.slednews.ca A Financial Action Plan Summary Money is very important in this world , for the lifestyle it can help you achieve. Almost all our dreams involve having the finances to make things happen. Here is a summary of action steps you can tackle to make your command of money much better. 1. Review your financial position, both assets and liabilities, and create a balance sheet indicating your net worth. 2. List all revenues and expenses to create an income statement, and indicate your net savings potential per month. 3. Set financial goals for major purchases, and savings for future expenses, such as the education for your family and retirement years. 4. Review your current investments and assets to ensure that they are the best that you can achieve. Factors to consider are the availability, income generation and security of your investment portfolio

5. Review your monthly expenses to create an awareness of how your money is spent in order to ensure that it is exactly where you want it to go. Search for ways to save money, spending less on your purchases. Set a budget. 6. Analyze your financial affairs on an ongoing basis, even monthly at the start, quarterly from thereon. Track your progress. 7. Find out about current changes in the economy that affect you with financial advisors, search for their services. Their advice is important in helping you arrive at the best financial program for you. Also remember their fees are a tax deduction. 8. Set yourself on a course to become a financial expert. If you are interested in the stock market, find out more about it by enrolling in a course or by reading

books. Likewise, if you are interested in real estate as an investment, start by getting a good understanding of the market. 9. By spending time on your financial future, you are definitely going to improve your lifestyle. 10. Remember, you must start somewhere and only you can do it. The main point I hope you gain from this is that any financial planning is better than no planning at all. For many of you, what you will do now represents the first serious review of financial affairs that you have ever undertaken. The process itself has helped you understand what it is you intend to do from a financial perspective over the course of your lifetime. The earlier you start, the better. It is much easier if you start when you're twenty than when you're sixty-five,

but in my opinion, it's never too late. The important thing is to continue your efforts throughout your life. What you will have accomplished is to have a clear, concise balance sheet that shows exactly your net worth. By detailing your short term cash, long term cash, short term assets, real estate, everything that pertains to your present financial situation, you have seen your financial worth on paper.You will also have a good understanding of where your money is spent. No one else will do this for you. The 2020's require work and planning to achieve positive results. The person that does this will undoubtedly achieve a much better lifestyle than those who don't. Also it will give you a tremendous sense of satisfaction that you have accomplished your financial future to the best of your ability. Good Luck!

LIFT LIGHT TO SHOVEL RIGHT Winter weather can pack a punch and with the season’s heavy snowfalls, injuries often result. Improper snow shoveling is often to blame. But shoveling out after a storm doesn’t have to leave you stiff and sore. With a little know-how, you can clear your driveway without the all-to-common back, neck and shoulder pain cramping your style. When you consider that a shovelful of snow weighs 5-7 pounds, you realize how much weight you have to lift to clear your sidewalk or driveway- on average several hundred pounds! These tips will help keep your back in top shape.

Before You Start · Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is just as big an issue in the winter months as it is in the summer. · Dress in several layers so you can remove a layer as you get warm. · Wear proper footwear. Shoes and boots with solid treads on the soles can help to minimize the risk of slips and falls. · Pick the right shovel. Use a lightweight, nonstick, push-style shovel. A smaller blade will require you to lift less snow, putting less strain on your body. An ergonomically correct model (curved handle) will help prevent injury and fatigue. Also, if you spray the blade with a silicone-based lubricant, the snow will slide off more easily.

PUSH, DON’T THROW. Push the snow to one side and avoid throwing it. If you must throw it, avoid twisting and turning position yourself to throw straight at the snow pile. BEND YOUR KNEES. Use your knees, leg and arm muscles to do the pushing and lifting while keeping your back straight. WATCH FOR ICE. Be careful on icy walkways and slippery surfaces. Intermittent thaws and subsequent freezing can lead to ice building up underfoot, resulting in nasty slips and falls. Throw down some salt or sand to ensure you have a good footing.

Once you’ve mastered safe snow shoveling techniques, you’ll be free to have fun and stay fit all winter. The contents of this article came directly from the Ontario Chiropractic Association’s public education program “Lift Light, Shovel Right”. https://www.chiropractic.on.ca/public/yo ur-back-health/lift-light-shovel-right/

James DiGiuseppe is a local chiropractor with a busy family and wellness practice. For more health information or to contact Dr. DiGiuseppe visit www.portarthurchiropractic.com

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· Before beginning any snow removal, warm up for five to 10 minutes to get your joints moving and increase blood circulation. A brisk walk will do it. · Know when to rest. If you feel tired or short of breath, stop and take a break. Shake out your arms and legs. Stop shoveling immediately if you fell chest pain or back pain. If you have back pain that is severe or that persists for more than a day, see a chiropractor. If you have chest pain that is severe, see a medical doctor immediately.

All Day Breakfast & Special Daily!

All Set to Go

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2020 SNOWARAMA FOR EASTER SEALS KIDS CROSSES BORDERS TOBENEFIT KIDS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES! The coolest snowmobile event hit the trails on Saturday, February 8, kicking off the 2020 fundraising season for Easter Seals Ontario. Once again, the Thunder Bay Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids was held south of the border at Grand Portage, only 45 minutes from Thunder Bay, attracting snowmobilers from across northwestern Ontario and Minnesota to enjoy some of the finest groomed trails in northern Minnesota. Thanks to generous donors, Easter Seals Ontario provides programs and services that help kids with physical disabilities get essential mobility and accessibility equip-

ment and opportunities to attend Easter Seals fully accessible summer camps. “This is the 17th year of the Grand Portage Snowarama, and we feel very privileged to have such dedicated support from Grand Portage Lodge and Casino along with all of the other local sponsors and riders who

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make this event a big success year after year,” says Kevin Collins, President and CEO, Easter Seals Ontario. All Snowarama participants enjoyed a complimentary dinner and live Saturday night entertainment, featuring Blue Collar Cocktail. Snowarama is truly a family event: participants can enjoy the trails, a bonfire and prizes throughout the weekend. Minnesota trail permits are $51 (available at Ryden’s 66) and were required for those riders who ventured off the Grand Portage Reserve trails. The event is generously sponsored by Grand Portage Lodge and Casino, the Grand Portage Trail Riders, and the Grand

Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. To celebrate the 17th year at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino, with every $100 participants raise, received a ballot to spin the wheel and win 1 of 10 Snowarama prize packages.

Over the past 16 years, the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino Snowarama has raised over $495,000 for children and youth with physical disabilities. Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids would not be a success without the support of the local snowmobiling community. Together we are helping kids BE KIDS. For more information, to register or to donate, visit Snowarama.org.

Rhonda Harrison of Easter Seals “ We have close to 200 riders which is a record number. Last year we had 168 riders which was also a record then. Most of the riders are from Thunder Bay but we got many from as far away as the Twin Cities and Red Lake. The word is spreading.” “ Snowarama has a good reputation and is in its 45th year across Ontario. We have good trails here, great accommodations at the casino and some great prizes packages to be won.There also is a poker run at this event.”

“ Each year we get about 30% new people. The Snowarama is a tradition here at Grand Portage.”


7th Sled For Eternity Ride Great Success! BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

Great Outdoors The 7th Annual Sled for Eternity held February 1st,2020 was a great success. There were 80 riders and passengers for a total of 94 participants and raised a total of $59,100.00, almost $60,000.! It was good day and good ride. “ In Thunder Bay in the last year we

opened a women’s home and we also have a men’s home and a micro business called the Thrift Store which helps teach vocational skills and helps fund the programs. We have also started community groups for loved ones with addictions and youth involved with gangs and violence,” said Robby fromTeen Challenge. This year Teen

the first Teen Challenge in 1960. Teen Challenge grew across America and then across the world including Canada to 118 nations with over 1400 homes for men, women and adolescents with life controlling additions. They could be primarily behavourial issues, abusing drugs and rebellion. “ The break down of the home is a big contributor and these kids are angry. Heroin use is back across the US and in all your Arab counties across the world. I think there is a lot of pain, suffering, physical abuse, sexual abuse and also

pain management say if they have had a car wreck for example. Many doctors are prescribing drugs like oxytocin but are now restricting the number of pills. When they can’t get it they are sometimes turning to heroin.” said Jerry Nance.

Global Teen Challenge in the last ten years have launched in 36 new nations.

community. They try to launch businesses to be independent.

“ Thunder Bay is a beautiful example of a community that has embraced this event alone. I’m impressed with the number of participants and the sponsors. It is so good to see the community embrace not for profit organizations trying to help young people to get free and find new lives.” said Jerry Nance.

“ There are some very talented people who get addicted to drugs. It is amazing how bright, innovative and creative they are and can achieve life transformation. An addict needs hope and its what draws them. They are in trouble with the law and steal from their family and friends. The United Nations did an study and there are 247 million drug abusers globally and additional 425 million alcoholics. They may have psychological issues so you have to do treatment to help them, including self esteem building.”

Teen Challenge has 35,000 students in residential care globally, 250,000 to 300,000 people they work with in out patient programming and 15,000 staff around the world. Each Teen Challenge works independently as a non profit with their own board of directors from the

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Challenge is also launching a community office in Dryden. “ The first quarter after Christmas can be tight as it probably is for most people, so this money from the ride is crucial to help change peoples lives. Including this year we have raised over $350,000 in 7 years.” said Robby Ahuja, Director for NW Ontario Teen Challenge. “ We have been doing these rides in Manitoba for 10 years now and they have started in Alaska and BC and will spread across North America.” Teen Challenge was founded by David Wilkerson, a Minister out of Pennsylvania. He read an article in Life magazine about seven boys on trial for murder in 1958, a gang murder. He felt like God said go help those boys and 19 days later he was standing in New York in the court room hoping to help those boys. He ultimately began working with the gangs in New York and launched

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GET HOOKED! LET’S GO FISHING! By Sherry Aalto So you are watching your kid just sitting there gaming and gaming and gaming and you’re thinking to yourself for the one hundredth time, “Why can’t they do anything else?!” Well? Maybe they need to be introduced to a different kind of Gaming?! But you will have to win their interest first! You will have to engage in the action on their level. Many parents for example, want to get their kids involved in ‘THE GREAT OUTDOORS’ but it becomes more of a grueling coaxing than an endeared event! So here is a new approach to a seemingly rejected idea. First you have to talk out loud in the house, in front of the kids, to a third party, about all the excitement you had landing the BIG ONE! You also have to excitingly make mention of the size of the catch and the struggle and challenge that took place and how you almost lost the battle! Kids want action and challenge! They want excitement and uncertainty when involved in the unknown! What they don’t want is a parent telling then what to do! They want a buddy that they can SHARE an experience with! You still have to parent but, nothing takes the fun out of something more than telling someone what to do rather than guiding and letting them try for themselves! The point is

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this, to hopefully get everyone to put down the gloves and pick up the rods! The fishing rods that is! Just ask Fred Brown and his wife Carole of Fort Francis Ontario.

Fred Brown has been fishing since he was old enough to hold a fishing rod. His father was an avid outdoorsmen and fishing guide and Fred and his brothers were all fishing guides and if it anything Fred knows it is this…fishing is the only game in town that is never the same two days in a row. Fred, his wife, his two daughters

and four granddaughters are all avid fishermen and fisherwomen. You never know what you are going to catch and you never know how the fight for the catch is going

to go but, Fred affirms in a nut shell that “Once you feel that fish on the end of your rod…YOU ARE THE ONE THAT IS HOOKED!” Having fished all over Northwestern Ontario, fishing in any season is O.K. with Fred. Fishing for trout, walleye and crappies (pan fish that can grow up to 16 inch-

es long and look like bass). There are apparently lots of crappies in the lakes in Rainy River, Lake of the Woods and Fort Francis area. If you love to fish, you can arrange to go to rustic camps or to high end comfort resorts, depending on your level of personal comfort…the choice is yours! There are excellent fisheries in Northern Ontario. Fred is familiar with a number of regular fishing people that come from all over the U.S. to enjoy and experience the sport of fishing. Fred says the people come from places like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. Residents (those who own property in Ontario) do not have to apply for camping permits but still must have an Outdoors Card for fishing/fishing permit, everyone else must apply for camping permits and outdoors cards. When you think of the money you will be spending on the sport of fishing, you will find that it pales in comparison to the amount of personal enjoyment that you will get from being in the great outdoors, especially when you share this with family or with friends. Fishing is one interest that can create a greater bond with the young people in your family and they will remember it for years. You will be passing along a wonderful tradition, but don’t to tell them that! A bit of blackmail never hurts either if the kids won’t join in…LOL! Read this: “Give a man a fish and he can eat for a day…Teach a man to fish and he can post it on Facebook and Youtube so his kids can be embarrassed if they don’t go fishing with him!” but save this for a last resort! Spring fishing is around the corner and here in Northern Ontario and one can enjoy some of the world’s best fishing and the whole family can do this, no age restriction! Imagine that! You can drive to a fishery, a lake or resort or you can arrange to go to a ‘fly-in’ fishing resort, either way you won’t find this type of entertainment on any 50 inch screen T.V.! Fred wants every parent to know this… “Fishing has afforded some of the best memories with his family and that the one thing to NEVER do, is to cheap out on a fishing rod. When it comes to buying a rod for your kids, get them a good one. Not only will the fishing experience be better but there is a certain pride in owning a fine piece of sporting equipment! And! And! The rod won’t break if your kid ends up in a fight with the big one!” So! If you want to get your kid ‘hooked’ on fishing, you had better hook them up with a fish and let the fish do the rest!! There are literally hundreds of places to go for excellent fishing in Northern Ontario so just link up on google with Northwestern Ontario Fishing and see where your next sunny afternoon will bring you and your kids! Actually! Get the kids to search it out for you, they love being on the computer anyway and they might just start making the plans themselves! Also, don’t forget to offer to video them catching the big one so they can post it themselves on their FB page or on Youtube. But, be sure to use their camera/phone to take the footage because they will want to have full control of such ‘sensitive’ information for when it comes to uploading anything about them! So there you go! You can combine fishing with technology and everyone is HAPPY! So what are you waiting for?


BOSS of a Weekend for Ishoel Pihlaja was never challenged for second, but there was a lot of position battles behind him. Daniel Benham has been great off the line and came out in third. He was trailed by Jacob Yurk, Lincoln Lemieux and Logan Christian for the first few laps. It was the rookie Yurk who would win out for the final podium spot as Lemieux (the number one qualifier) and Christian fell off the pace. It was a day of redemption for Yurk, who finished second on Friday but ninth on Saturday.

What’s old was new in the world of AMSOIL Championship Snocross, Powered by Ram in Fargo, N.D. After two full days of racing in the wind and snow as part of what is considered rounds three and four, the ACS finally held its first official round of racing on Sunday. The flip-flop on the confusion meter was due to the cancellation of the AMSOIL National Snocross in Duluth two weeks ago due to a major snowstorm that hit the area. Both days of points racing were rescheduled for later dates, and the first round was finally held as a make-up day in Fargo. The order of events didn’t seem to faze the series defending national champions in the Pro and Pro Lite classes. Both Elias Ishoel and Hunter Patenaude made statements on Sunday, winning easily and taking control of the new season with impressive weekends. Ishoel Impressive in Back-to-Back Nights Ski Doo’s Elias Ishoel couldn’t have written a better script for an opening weekend. After just missing the podium on Friday night with a fourth place finish, Ishoel cruised to the win on Saturday. For the Sunday matinee, the Norwegian left no doubt he’s in control after three rounds. Despite not winning a heat on Sunday,

“Yesterday was rough with all of the snow dust,” said Yurk. “We got a bad start last night and shuffled back. Things changed in our favor today.” Ishoel entered the final as the number five qualifier. With the inversion in place, he lined up in the same exact spot on the starting grid as he did on Saturday. The spot again proved prolific as he ripped off the start lined with BOSS Racing teammate Aki Pihlaja in tow. During the 22-lap finale, not even Pihlaja could keep pace as Ishoel picked up nearly one second-per-lap on Pihlaja for the first half of the race. On cruise control, Ishoel zipped around the Fargo circuit, finishing 15-seconds ahead of his Ski Doo teammate.

Jimmy John’s sleds up on the box.”

“The whole team is working so hard with the sled and it’s just working so good. I can just go out there and race,” said Ishoel following the win. “(The race) was so good, so much fun. I got a good start, with Aki in second and we could just go. It’s good to get the

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Law Enforcement Torch Run Donates $44,250 to Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Local law enforcement personnel including Thunder Bay Police Chief Sylvie Hauth proudly announced a $44,250 donation to the Special Olympics Canada

have thousands of dedicated volunteers who proudly carry the Flame of Hope for Special Olympics in their communities. Thunder Bay and all of Northwest Ontario have always been huge supporters of the

the Games and has been an important partner from the start of our planning. We thank everyone who has worked so hard to help make our athletes’ sports dreams come true.”

Donations are still being accepted in support of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020. The Draft an Athlete program is close to its $300,000 fundraising goal, but is counting on the community to help raise the remaining $60,000 in the weeks leading up to the Games. The Games take place February 25-29. For more information and to Draft an Athlete, visit www.specialolympics2020.com. About The Games The Special Olympics Canada Winter Games are a multi-sport national event for athletes with an intellectual disability. The Games will be hosted in Thunder Bay, Ontario from February 25 to 29, 2020 and will welcome over 1,200 athletes, coaches and mission staff from across Canada. The Games will include competition in eight official Special Olympics sports: alpine skiing, five-pin bowling, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating. These national games are the qualifying event for athletes to become members of Team Canada attending the Special Olympics World Winter Games. Learn more at www.specialolympics2020.com.

Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020 on Tuesday. The funds were raised by the local zone of the Law Enforcement Torch Run through a variety of activities and events hosted in communities across northwestern Ontario including Thunder Bay, Kenora and Dryden. “The bond between law enforcement and Special Olympics is alive and well in Thunder Bay and the surrounding area,” said local zone coordinator Tara Bottan. “Law enforcement personnel in Zone 1 have worked very hard over the past year to raise these funds for Special Olympics. We hope the momentum of the Games will help strengthen the Special Olympics programs in Thunder Bay and beyond.” Bottan’s sentiments also rang true for Sgt. Mark McGugan of the London Police Service, the Director of the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run. McGugan added “We are incredibly proud to support the community of Thunder Bay for the 2020 National Winter Games. Provincially, we

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Torch Run and Special Olympics and that pride is evident in the amount of contribution they have made to these Games. Great job LETR and good luck to our amazing athletes!” The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the largest public awareness and grassroots fundraising organization for Special Olympics globally. The LETR are supported by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and have been an active partner of Special Olympics Canada since 1981. Games Chair Barry Streib was on hand to share gratitude on behalf of the local Games Organizing Committee and everyone involved in the Games. “LETR is a longstanding and significant supporter of Special Olympics and we are honoured to see that tradition extend to our upcoming Games in Thunder Bay,” said Streib. “Beyond this incredibly generous contribution, local law enforcement is well represented among our volunteer roster for


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